Ed was the corporate man who had his own money, place, cars and people at his job respected him. He held a certain power within his company and after watching my father and brother hold the same power but in a different occupation, it let me know Ed had a good head on his shoulders. He wasn’t in the streets and treated his family, especially his sisters like princesses. Why wouldn’t I want a man like that?
Lo and behold, after being with someone for a while their true colors come out. Ed started going on more trips without me, his behavior towards me changed as far as how he spoke and treated me. I wasn’t allowed at his home unless he called me over and that was after he changed his locks. His request for threesomes became regular which I’d never do for no man. And now he embarrassed me by kissing on some woman outside the hotel bar and from what I can tell, not even having the decency to come back last night.
Fate really stepped in and sent me to Felix’s room. I’ve always known about his crush and never paid him any mind until two years ago when the flirting was constant. I noticed himnever bringing a woman to any events and he’d try to comfort me if he ever thought something was wrong. If I didn’t know then to try and make it work, I knew after we slept together.
BOOM!I shook hearing the door slam which was weird because how do you do that with a hotel door. Rushing to take the soap off, I turned the water off, reached for my towel and wrapped it around my body.
Thankfully, the thick plush robe was behind the door and I could throw it on to cover the hickeys. They were on one side of my neck and I was able to cover them.
“ROSALINA!” He shouted. I could hear him outside the door. Opening it, he had a deranged look on his face. Pushing past, I walked over to grab the lotion off the dresser.
“Where are you going?” He tried to grab my arm but I snatched away.
“To Cairo’s birthday brunch. You know, the one we’re supposed to go to as a couple but you decided to stay out all night with your mistress.”
WHAP!I didn’t even see him coming to try and avoid that slap. My head turned the other way and all I could do was quickly fix the robe and move my hair back. If he saw those hickeys it was no telling what he’d do.
“Just like a man to attack when they’re caught.” I continued putting lotion on as if blood didn’t seep in my mouth.
“Keep talking shit.” He was standing in front of me breathing fast.
WHAP! WHAP! He slapped me a few more times and my eye instantly started to bleed. I ran in the bathroom crying. Cairo was going to kill him if Felix didn’t find out what he did first.
BANG! BANG! He was trying to break the door down and I didn’t know why until I opened it.
“I’ll kill you in your sleep tonight if you mention one word to your brother.” He wrapped his arm around my throat.
“Are we clear?” Staring at him in the mirror, I took one final look at the man I use to love because he knew that once anyone in my family found out what he did, he’d be gone. That threat of killing me in my sleep did nothing to scare me.
“We’re clear.” He let go, kissed my cheek and stripped to take a shower. I knew damn well he didn’t think we’d go to the brunch together.
Once he stepped inside the shower, I ran out the bathroom, put my clothes on, and left the room with a towel on my eye. I’ll get the rest of my things later. Pressing the elevator it opened right away. Just my luck Sariah and her friend Kateri were on it. Neither were dressed as if they were attending the brunch and I thought Raul said she was asleep.
I stepped on and immediately turned around to press the button. They were looking down on the phone and I was hoping they didn’t pay me no mind.
“I know damn well she didn’t just get on and not speak like we didn’t almost help her beat that cheating nigga up.” I knew Sariah’s voice because she had a deep and raspy one. Kateri had a soft voice but she made sure to be heard when popping shit.
“Is that blood on the floor?” Kateri asked, spinning me around. Both of them had horror written on their faces.
“It’s that bad?” I asked after seeing their reaction.
“I hope you said bye to that man because when your brother sees your face.” That’s when panic set in. I knew my family would kill hm if they found out he was putting hands on me but I really wanted them to kill him for something else. My conscience didn’t want Ed dead or his death to be because of me.
“Can you help me clean this up? Pleaseeeeee! I’ll pay you.” I was acting desperate at this point and both of them struggled to answer.
“Hell no! Your brother literally broke my hand; I mean the doctor said I had pins in it. Do you have any idea what he woulddo to me if I got involved? I can’t even imagine dying before having kids or a husband.” Kateri went on and one while Sariah pressed the elevator door closed once it opened and told me that she’d do it.
When we got in the room, Kateri was panicking thinking my brother or Raul would come and see me. Lucky for her, I knew where they were and let her know to calm down. She did after Sariah gave her some weed to smoke and told her to blow it in her direction since she couldn’t indulge.
“I can’t believe you got me helping her cover up being abused. That nigga already hate me; I’m gonna be dead by morning. Lawdddd help me.” Kateri complained, helping Sariah with the makeup. Once they finished, I looked in the mirror and unless you were in my face, you’d never know.
“Thank you.” I rushed out the room because I had fifteen minutes to be at Cairo’s mansion before they sent someone looking for me. Hopping in the car, a frown came on my face seeing Ed already waiting. Where did he come from and why was he in here?
“You cleaned up well.” He gripped my hand in his, gave it a tight squeeze and rested it on his lap. I really hope Felix wasn’t outside because he may assume something that it’s not and I didn’t want that. He was the man I wanted and I’ll make sure of it tonight.
“The brunch wasnice but this is better.” One of my younger cousins said drinking at the bar. We were at a hotel inside the ballroom celebrating Cairo’s birthday. There were tons of people, along with our family and of course strippers. Mymother had to pull my dad away from dancing with two of them. It was harmless but she said wasn’t no need for temptation.
“Yea. Where’s Cairo?” I searched the ballroom and couldn’t find him.
